Relative newcomer Michael James Shaw has been cast as Papa Midnite on NBC’s upcoming DC Comics-inspired series, “Constantine,” USA Today reports. Not really an absolute friend or foe of John Constantine’s, Papa Midnite, who made his first appearance in the first issue of the ongoing “Hellblazer” and who was previously played on the big screen by Djimon Hounsou, is an immortal voodoo practitioner with ties to New York’s criminal magical underworld. The character is set to reappear throughout the new show.

In “Constantine,” based on the comic book series “Hellblazer,” seasoned demon hunter and master of the occult John Constantine specializes in giving hell… hell. Armed with a ferocious knowledge of the dark arts and his wickedly naughty wit, he fights the good fight – or at least he did. With his soul already damned to hell, he’s decided to leave his do-gooder life behind. But when demons target Liv, the daughter of one of Constantine’s oldest friends, he’s reluctantly thrust back into the fray – and he’ll do whatever it takes to save her. Before long, it’s revealed that Liv’s “second sight,” an ability to see the worlds behind our world and predict supernatural occurrences, is a threat to a mysterious new evil that’s rising in the shadows. And now it’s not just Liv who needs protection; the angels are starting to get worried too. So, together, Constantine and Liv must use her power and his skills to travel the country, find the demons that threaten our world – and send them back where they belong. After that, who knows… maybe there’s hope for him and his soul after all.

From Executive Producer David S. Goyer (Batman Begins, The Dark Knight Rises) and director Neil Marshall (“Game of Thrones,” The Descent) comes a dark new thriller that proves fighting evil is a hell of a job. The series also stars Matt Ryan, Lucy Griffiths, Harold Perrineau and Charles Halford.